Is mowing your lawn such a yawn?

Gardening and mowing can be a chore to some, but to others, it’s a passion.

Summers here. The sun is out, strolling along the beach, sitting in a seaside restaurant, days out and late nights. Some people spend time in their garden (if they have one) having barbeques and having fun. But what if your lawn comes up to you knees?

I get it. People work long and hard and the last thing they want to do is come home to more work. I understand. Gardening can be a burden. People just don’t want to just roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. I for one, however, love gardening. Whether it’s pruning or mowing, I enjoy it immensely. And sometimes, a neat lawn can make all the difference. No matter which lawn mower you have. From electric to petrol, you can make your garden look a lot tidier. I have a petrol mower, mainly because that’s my preference. I always had an electric one due to price, but after studying horticulture, I thought I’d rather invest into a better mower!

No matter which lawn mower you have. From electric to petrol, you can make your garden look a lot tidier. I have a petrol mower, mainly because that’s my preference. I always had an electric one due to price, but after studying horticulture, I thought I’d rather invest into a better mower!

In case you were wondering, you’re meant to actually mow your lawn once a day. Yes I know, unbelievable right? But nope, once a day is when you’re meant to mow. The more you mow, the greener your grass, and stronger too. Mowing it every day prevents thatch on the soil, increasing the likelihood of infection to the root and soil. However, not everybody has the time and attitude to want to cut their grass on a daily basis. In that case, you simply mow at a higher setting and length so that the grass is slightly thicker and it doesn’t grow as quick.

If you don’t believe the daily cut, look at professional grounds staff at sporting venues. They work almost every day to make sure the pitch is in pristine condition and looks at its best. Of course, they’re qualified and it’s their job, but their meticulous ways and attention to detail from when they brush the grass, basically hoover it, cut, double cut and roll the pitch is a labour of love! That’s why we’re in awe of the end result come matchdays. All weather conditions and all year round. Okay, the big sporting clubs have semi-synthetic pitches where the root is sometimes a foot beneath the ground. A full 12 inches so that when a rugby player or footballer slides, the pitch is still intact.

You also have to remember, grass is also a plant. Maybe the toughest around. We walk, cut, dig and animals eat and love in grass, but it’s always there. Going back to sporting occasions, grass sometimes has to have a ‘drug’ the day after an event to settle it down. Just think, if you’re a root clinging on for dear life not to be taken out of the ground, it’s using a huge amount of energy to survive, that’s why it needs days rest before being cut. So maybe cutting it everyday is obsessive, but it’s totally true!

Nowadays you are beginning to see AstroTurf, decking and paving slabs instead of soil, and sometimes I don’t blame people, where the gruelling task of maintaining their garden, especially their lawn can be too much to bare. Along with the excuses of ‘its too hot’ or ‘it looks like it’s going to rain’. But if done correctly, I’m sure the gardening bug, no, not that one, will soon sink its teeth into you and you’ll be hooked…at least for three months of the year.